Leodoro - held up for clear running from the 300m and went to the line not fully tested. Apprentice Beau Mertens was questioned with regard to his tactics near the 400m and as to why he did not take the opportunity to improve his position to be behind Makatiti (NZ), which would have allowed him to have an uninterrupted run in the straight by coming out at the 300m and to the outside of Makatiti (NZ). Beau Mertens explained he was mindful of his instructions to avoid being caught wide on the home turn, and if possible cut the corner as the gelding performs best when held up for a late sprint. He added that he made an error by not coming to the outside near the 400m, which ultimately led to him being held up in the straight. In all the circumstances, including the instructions given by trainer Mick Kent which were confirmed, and the racing pattern of the horse, the Stewards did not take any direct action, but to notify Beau Mertens that by not coming out at the 400m was a gross error of judgement however were not comfortably satisfied such an error was culpable under the rules, given his inexperience as a claiming apprentice.

Leodoro - held up for clear running from the 300m and went to the line not fully tested. Apprentice Beau Mertens was questioned with regard to his tactics near the 400m and as to why he did not take the opportunity to improve his position to be behind Makatiti (NZ), which would have allowed him to have an uninterrupted run in the straight by coming out at the 300m and to the outside of Makatiti (NZ). Beau Mertens explained he was mindful of his instructions to avoid being caught wide on the home turn, and if possible cut the corner as the gelding performs best when held up for a late sprint. He added that he made an error by not coming to the outside near the 400m, which ultimately led to him being held up in the straight. In all the circumstances, including the instructions given by trainer Mick Kent which were confirmed, and the racing pattern of the horse, the Stewards did not take any direct action, but to notify Beau Mertens that by not coming out at the 400m was a gross error of judgement however were not comfortably satisfied such an error was culpable under the rules, given his inexperience as a claiming apprentice.

Beau Mertens could be one of the most successful apprentices the industry has seen. After two years in the saddle, and just 18 months of competitive riding, the 20-year-old is fighting out the Victorian jockeys' premiership with Craig Williams.

But in the final race of the day at Moonee Valley on Saturday, aboard favourite Leodoro, he made a mistake.

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The race held huge gambling money, his mount was viewed as "the ideal get out" for punters who had done their money earlier in the afternoon.

In a blow to those punters, Mertens followed instructions and did not go wide on the turn, his error causing the horse to run into dead ends, and sending social media into meltdown.

After the race, the jockey knew this effort was far from his best.

Mertens, who is seven wins away from losing his allowance, marched into the stewards' room and addressed the panel about what took place 400m from home.

In an explanation that showed maturity beyond his years, Mertens admitted that he had "slaughtered" Leodoro and he stood guilty of a poor ride.

Chief steward Terry Bailey said: "We rarely hear admissions like that from any jockey but your frankness should be respected."

Mertens told the stewards that when he came to the 400-metre mark he could have come out but his instructions were to cut the corner. "So I stayed in, and that was my fault. I butchered the horse."

When Mertens left Moonee Valley on Saturday night he confided in those close to him and the message was ride with initiative and don't let instructions tie you up in knots.

"When he came into the room Beau was very frank, he knew what he had to say, he knew he'd erred and he wasn't going to dance around what went wrong," Bailey said.

"There was nothing culpable about his ride, there was one decision at the 400 metres that he got wrong and in hindsight would have righted it but the race is over."

If he wants to last in this game, he'll learn to shut the hell up, do what he is told and understand he's a pawn in this game.

Does seem odd that stewards haven't twigged to the obvious. Riding to instructions is an easy out for jockeys and connections and regularly gets a run at enquiries. Prescriptive riding instructions which don't give a horse every opportunity to win was against the rules when I last checked.

Why would he not be wanting to win? He has a rare opportunity as an apprentice to win the Jockey Premiership.

He made a bad decision, just like many of the jockeys at MV did, it's just that this was on a hot fave so people are up in arms.

Plenty of learner drivers on the road that make hard to comprehend decisions, until you remember they're still learning, like Beau is as a jockey. The ability to assess conditions and make the right decisions consistently takes time.

Why would he not be wanting to win? He has a rare opportunity as an apprentice to win the Jockey Premiership.

He made a bad decision, just like many of the jockeys at MV did, it's just that this was on a hot fave so people are up in arms.

Plenty of learner drivers on the road that make hard to comprehend decisions, until you remember they're still learning, like Beau is as a jockey. The ability to assess conditions and make the right decisions consistently takes time.

I'm pretty sure Beau has the hang of the job already. He's a good jockey doing what he is told to do, or he'll soon find out that he won't have much of a future in this sport and will be riding out in country tracks. The explanation to the stewards was to create the perception of accountability. Nothing to see here, moving right along.

It was a response to SkyDancer. I don't think punters who took the shorts last start would be in the "forgiving", given the market would suggest most of the didn't back up. And given the horse was ridden in the way it should have been last start, but were told didn't like being ridden. In a much stronger race.

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